NORWALK, Conn. — Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution have installed a new sensor on the Manresa Island dock to track water levels and tides in Norwalk Harbor.
The project is part of a partnership between Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Manresa Island Corp, the nonprofit group working to transform Manresa Island into a public waterfront park.
How the monitoring system works
The sensor installed at Manresa Island measures water levels using sound waves. It can detect small changes in the height of the water over time.
This sensor completes a three-point monitoring system in Norwalk Harbor. The other two sensors are located at the Maritime Aquarium and on Sheffield Island. By collecting data from all three locations simultaneously, scientists can compare water levels across the harbor and observe how tides and water movement differ from place to place.
Why the data matters
Project leaders say there are very few efforts in Connecticut that closely track local water conditions, especially at this level of detail.
The data collected from the sensors will help scientists better understand “hyperlocal” flooding — flooding that affects specific streets, neighborhoods, or shorelines rather than an entire region. This information can help explain why some areas flood during certain storms or high tides while others do not.
As sea levels rise and storms become more frequent, coastal flooding has become a growing concern for Norwalk residents. Researchers say having local, real-time data is key to understanding these changes and planning for the future.
A partnership tied to Manresa Wilds
The monitoring project is part of a larger effort by Manresa Island Corp., the nonprofit redeveloping the former power plant site on Manresa Island.
Manresa Wilds is planned as a publicly accessible park that will open nearly two miles of Long Island Sound shoreline to the public for the first time in about 75 years. Plans for the site include natural areas, learning spaces, and year-round programming for people of all ages and abilities.
Community engagement and next steps
Since launching in October 2024, Manresa Island Corp. has hosted tours for more than 1,500 people and gathered feedback through surveys and community meetings. The organization has also met with local businesses, neighborhood groups, and regional institutions to help shape future programming.
Organizers say partnerships with research institutions like Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will play an important role in protecting local ecosystems and helping the community better understand Norwalk’s changing waterfront.
The sensor at Manresa Island is now active, and researchers will continue collecting data from Norwalk Harbor in the months ahead.
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